In some Latin American countries Valentine's Day is known as "Day of Love and Friendship" (Day of Love and Friendship). For example, in Mexico, Costa Rica and Ecuador and others. Although it is similar to the U.S. version, in many respects, it is also common to see people "acts of recognition" for his friends.In Guatemala, known as "Baby Day" (Day of the disease).In Brazil, the two Namorados Day (literally "Day of Love" or boyfriends / girlfriends' Day ") is celebrated on June 12, when couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flowers.
This day was chosen probably because it's the day before the Festa Junina (day of San Antonio), knows that holy matrimony, when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called sympathy, to find a good husband or boyfriend. On February 14 Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all, mainly for cultural and commercial, as it usually falls shortly before or after Carnival, a large floating party in Brazil - long considered a holiday sex and crazy by many in the country - which can be anywhere from early February to early March.
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In Venezuela, in 2009, President Hugo Chavez told a gathering of supporters for the upcoming referendum on 15 February that "since 14, there will be time to do anything, or nothing about anything ... maybe a kiss or very superficial, "he advised people to celebrate the week of love after the referendum vote .
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In most of South America and the Day of Love and Friendship Amigo Secreto ("Secret friend") are very popular and often held together on 14 February (one exception is Colombia, which is held every third Saturday of September). The latter is to randomly assign each participant a recipient to be given an anonymous gift (similar to the Christmas tradition of Secret Santa).